Crane's Corner village sign

Image: © Adrian S Pye Taken: 3 Apr 2021

Crane’s corner is part of Fransham and the home and workplace of William Crane, who in 1865, at the age of 24, set up a blacksmith's shop in this part of the village. William and his three brothers all followed in their father by becoming apprenticed blacksmiths. William went on to develop a new type of horse-drawn rake, cart wheels and farm Wagons, he even hung church bells. In the early 1960s, Crane's began making trucks using designs by the American-based Fruehauf Trailer Corporation. And Crane Fruehauf became well known and respected in the transport industry. The Crane Fruehauf factory in Dereham collapsed in 2005, laying off its remaining 345 workers, an important chapter in Norfolk's industrial history came to an abrupt end. But the name will live on here. The sign is made up of a few old tools as well as the wagon dated 1865, the saw blade cutting through timber on the saw table. Stalks of wheat are included in homage to the agricultural heritage which supported the business for the early years. https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6796401

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